clark



Feb. 12, 1963 R. c. CLARK 3,077,299

PREMIUM STAMP-DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Filed June 25,1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 n W 4M, 2??? .I T "m BOOQQQ n.U. H mfifl wm 38800006, I Fl m I we III r I FIIHIIHII -L BY H6. 2 fi m WFM ATTORNEYSFeb. 12, 1963 R. c. CLARK 3,077,299

PREMIUM STAMP-DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Filed June 25,1958- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Rose-2T C. CLARK A TTORNEYS R. C. CLARKFeb. 12, 1963 PREMIUM STAMP-DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERSFiled June 25. 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet, 3

- INVENTOR. Roaser C. CLARK ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1963 R. C. CLARK3,077,299

PREMIUM STAMP-DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Filed June 25,1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. I/

' INVENTOR. ROBERT C. CLARK ATTORNEYS.

R. C. CLARK PREMIUM STAMP-DiSPENSING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS FiledJune 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I J ll INVENTOR. C. CLARK Passe-rATTORNEVS.

ransnem STAMREF FEP FQR Robert Q. illarls, Lan ng, IV (192 heniugtonAve, s

Filed dune 25, 1953, Ser. No. ve s-sea 1 (Cl. 235 l) This inventionrelates to a mechanism for dispensing premium stamps and particularly tosuch a mechanism which operates in conjunction with a cash register.

In recent years it has become common practice for re tailors andtradesmen to give premium stamps to the customer in proportion to theamount of the sale, the stamps being redeemable for mechandise. Thestamps are commonly dispensed by the clerk or cashier by tearing theproper amount d a sheet containing a large number of stamps. Such aprocedure requires a great deal of time and thought on the part of theclerk or cashier, resulting in a reduced efiiciency.

It has heretofore been suggested that a separate stampdispensing machinebe provided which is actuated separately by the cashier or clerk todispense the required number of stamps. Such machines have two importantdisadvantages. First, they require mental thought on the part of theclerk or cashier in order to establish the number of stamps to bedispensed. In addition, they require a separate manual manipulation ofthe mechanism which may be on the order of a cash register. Thus, even astamp-dispensing mechanism of this type involves a separate operation onthe part of the cashier.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mechanism whichwill automatically provide the required number of stamps when the totalof purchases is registered on the cash register or other tabuiatingmachine which is used to total the purchases.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an apparatuswhich can be easily attached to cash registers without any substantialchange thereto.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a cash register havingmechanism embodying the invention attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 withthe end cover open, the cash register being shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG.1, the cash register being shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in REG.1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken alongthe line 66 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of themechanism shown in FIG. 6.

PEG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken alongthe line 8---.% in PEG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken alongthe line 9-9 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line Ill-lit inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken line 1llll in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stamp-dispensing mechanism removedfrom the cash register.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken alongthe line 13-13 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan View of a strip of stamps as used in thestamp-dispensing mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, the stamp-dispensing along the mechanismZli is attached to a cash register 21 which is of the type which totalsthe purchases and registers the total so that it is visible to thecustomer in an indicator box 22 on the register. Stampdispensingmechanism 29 is operable incident to the indication of the total in thebox 22 to dispense the required number of stamps.

Referring to FIG. 12, the stamp-dispensing mechanism 2t comprises ahousing having a first section 29:: disposed at the side of the cashregister and a second section 26b disposed to the rear of the cashregister. As shown in PEG. 3, three rolls 23a, 23b, 23c of premiumstamps are rotatably mounted in the housing section Ztia of thestamp-dispensing mechanism. The rolls 23 are of predetermined width. Byway of example the roll 23a has a width of one stamp and the rolls 23b,23c are five stamps wide.

As shown in EEG. 13, each roll of stamps is rotatably mounted betweenintermediate wall 24 and end Wall 25 of the section 2% by a structurewhich includes a fixed spindle 26 and a movable spindle 27 mounted on anarm 23. which is pivoted to end wall 25.

As shown in FIG. 13, stamp roll 23 is rotatably held on the spindles 2d,27. Cover 29 is hinged to the rear edge of the housing 21 so that it canbe swung open as shown in PEG. 3 to provide access to the rolls 23. Toremove and replace the roll, lever 23 is swung outwardly and upwardlywith cover 29 open. Cover 29 is held in closed position by a rotatablelatch 36} which engages a tab '31 on the housing (FIG. 3).

When the total of purchases is registered on cash regis ter Zl, apredetermined length of stamps is fed from each of the rolls 23, asrequired by a mechanism which includes a drive roll 32 fixed on a shaft33 which is rotatably mounted between fixed end wall 25 and intermediaterail of housing 21 (HG. 11). Drive rolls 32. are provided withcircumferentially spaced teeth 34- w-hich engage the conventionalperforations 35 between successive stamps Sin a strip (FIG. 14} so thatwhen each drive roll 32 is rotated a strip of stamps is fed from eachsupply roll.

A friction roll as is provided adjacent the periphery of each drive rollThe strip of stamps from the supply roll is passed and threaded betweenthe friction roll 36 and drive roll 32-. A horizontal guide plate 37 isprovided to guide the strips of stamps outwardly of housing 2% throughdispensing openings 38a, 38b and 330, respectively (FIGS. 1, 8 and 12).in addition, a knife 39 is provided to sever each previously fed stripof stamps and permit them to fall into an open tray ill (FIGS. 8 and12). As shown in FiG. 11, a hand crank 3311 may be inserted in the endof shaft 33 in order to provide an easy means for rotating shaft 33 andfeed roll 32 in threading a strip of stamps or in clearing the end of astrip of stamps.

Rectangular chutes ii are provided to guide the severed strips in theirmovement downwardly through openings toward the tray (HQ. 8). inaddition, guide blocks are provided above the plates 37 to insure thatthe strips of stamps will move in a flat plane into proper alignmentwith the knives.

Referring to FEG. 1, the intermittent rotation of drive rolls 31?; isobtained through one-way clutches 43. For example, as shown in P16. 11,one-way clutch 43 on shaft provides an intermittent drive to drive roll32.

Clutches 43 are, in turn, driven by linkages to the cash register aspresently described. Each clutch 4-3 is driven an amount such that therequired number of stamps are fed from the rolls 23 when purchases aretabulated on the cash register. The arrangement is such that a number ofstamps is fed from each roll corresponding to the numerical value ofeach digit in the amount tabulated by the register. For example, if astamp is to be dispensed for each ten cents of purchases, a strip ofstamps, one stamp in width, is fed from roll 23a of such a length thatthe number of stamps corresponds in number to the digit in the tenths ofdollars in the amount tabulated by the register; a strip of stamps, fivestamps wide, is fed from roll 23]) of such a length that the number ofstamps is ten times the numerical value of the digit in dollars in theamount tabulated; and a strip of stamps, five stamps wide, is fed fromroll 230 of such a length that the number of stamps is one hundred timesthe numerical value of the digit in tens of dollars in the amounttabulated. Thus, for example, if the amount tabulated by the cashregister were $14.53, the clutches 43 would be driven so that fivestamps would be fed from roll 23a; forty stamps would be fed from roll2%, that is, a strip five stamps wide and eight stamps long; and onehundred stamps would be fed from roll 23c, that is, a strip five stampsWide and twenty stamps long.

In one conventional type of cash register 21 there are provided aplurality of groups of indicator plates, each group of plates bearingnumbers from '0 to 9; the indicator plates in one group corresponding tocents unit digits, the indicator plates in another group correspondingto cents in tens digits, the indicator plates in another groupcorresponding to dollars in unit digits, and the indicator plates instill another group corresponding to dollars in tens digits. When thetotal of sales is tabulated and computed by the cash register, theproper indicator plates are elevated from each group by the registermechanism into indicator box 22 to indicate the total.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated one conventional cash registermechanism constructed such that when the total of purchases is computedby the cash register, indicator positioning bars 44 in the cash registerare shifted axially, that is fore and aft of the cash register, by aconventional mechanism not forming a part of this invention, to moveeach group of indicator plates'an amount corresponding to the numericalvalue of the digit with which each group is associated in the amountcomputed and thereby bring predetermined indicator plates into positionso that they can be raised into indicator box 22 by an indicatoroperating bar 45 which is moved upwardly (FIG. 6). proportional to thenumber that is to be shown in indicator box 22. For example, if in aparticular digit the number is to be Zero there will be no movementofthe corresponding bar 44, whereas if the number is to be a 9 there willbe substantial movement of the bar 44.

The movement of bars 44 is transmitted to the drive rolls 32 so that thedrive rolls are rotated in proportion to the movement of theirrespective bars to feed the required number of premium stamps.

The drive means for drive rolls 32 are shown in F168. 2 and 5, andinclude concentric tubular shafts and, 46b rotatably mounted on a shaft46c journalled between spaced walls 24 and 47' and extending throughwall 45 the rear of the stamp-dispensing mechanism and substantiallywithin the housing 2th). Gears 4% are fixed to the shafts 46. Gearracl's are pivoted to the rear ends of the indicator positioning bars 4dand extend through openings in the front walls of housing 2% (HQ. 12).Racks 59 may be moved downwardly into mesh with gears $9 or upwardly outof mesh with gears 49.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, sprockets 51 are fixed to the ends of theshafts 46. Drive chains 52 are trained over the sprockets 51 and gears53 of the clutches 43. Idler sprockets 54 are provided on some of chains52;.

Racks 59 are normally maintained out of mesh with their respective gears49 by a mechanism which comprises levers 55 fixed on a shaft 56 pivotedin housing 20b (FIG. 2). Shaft 56 has fixed thereto a short arm 57 (FIG.5) connected by a rigid link 58 to an actuating lever 59 pivoted on wall24 as at 6%. Lever 59 has a manually operable handle 61 projectingthrough an opening at in housing Ztla. Stops 63, 6d are provided on wall24 The movement of each bar 44 is therefore 4 to limit the movement oflever 59. The free ends of levers 55 are provided with rollers 65 whichride in slots 66 in the respective racks 5 0 as shown in H6. 5.

When it is desired to transmit the movement of the indicator positioningbars 44 to drive rolls 32 and feed the stamps, lever 59 is moveddownwardly from the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 to the positionshown in full lines. This causes the racks 51'] to mesh with gears 49.Thus, when the indicator positioning bars 44 are moved axially they willrotate gears 45 and, in turn, their respective shafts 4K and driveclutches 43 through the sprockets 5i, gears and chains 52 and rotate thedrive rolls 32 to feed the stamps. Any movement of the indicatorpositioning bars i t in the opposite direction does not affect the driverolls since clutches 433 are of the one-way type. V

Mechanism is provided for returning lever 59 to its original position(shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5) after each totaling operation therebymoving racks 50 out of engagement with gears 49. This mechanismincludesa spring-loaded latch 67 pivoted to the wall d8 of the stampmechanism and adapted to engage a projection 68 on lever when lever 59is rotated to bring the racks 5ft into engagement with the gears 49'(FIG. 6). Lever 59 is normally urged in a clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 5 by a cable as trained over pulleys 7t} and connected at oneend to lever 59 and its other end to a tension spring 71 fixed to thehousing of the mechanism. When lever 59 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 5, projection 68 on lever 59 is brought intoengagement with latch 67 and locks lever 59 in the position shown infull lines wherein'racks 50 are in mesh with gears 49.

indicator operating bar d5 within cash register 21 (FIGS. 5 and 6) movesupwardly when the register is operated to present the indicator platesinto view in indicator box 22. A small lever 72 is pivotally mounted onbar 45 and projects outwardly through the side wall of the cash registerso that when the bar 45 moves upwardly the end of small lever 72 engagesa tab 73 on latch 67 to pivot the latch in a clockwise direction therebyreleasing projection 68 and permitting lever 59 to move in a clockwisedirection under the action of cable 69 and spring 71 thereby movingracks 50 upwardly out of engagement with gears 49. The inner end ofsmall lever 72 abuts a portion of indicator operating bar 45 so that itis limited in permissible clockwise movement (FIG. 6) but may be pivotedcounterclockwise without engaging tab 73 when the operating bar is moveddownwardly.

In order to prevent rotation shafts 46 while out of engagement withracks 50, a plurality of pawls 74 are fixed to a rockable shaft 75which, in turn, is connected to arm 57 by a crank 76 and link 77 (FIG.5). When racks 50 are moved out of engagement with their respectivegears 4?, pawls 74 are moved into engagement with gears 49 to preventrotation of the .gears.

As shown in FIG. 9, knives 39 are pivoted adjacent one end to wall 48for vertical movement and are connected at their opposite ends to cable'69. When the knives are pivoted downwardly by cable 69, their cuttingedges cooperate with the forward edges of plates 57 to sever the stripsof stamps advanced by drive rolls Movement of the handle 61 downwardlycauses the link 58 to pivot crank 57 and move racks 50 into mesh withgears 49 through the levers 55. When the operator thereafter depressesbar 81 the cash register operates to indicate the sub-total of purchasesin indicator box 22. During this operation of the cash register,indicator operating bar 45 is moved downwardly and the indicatorpositioning bars 44 are moved axially to bring the indicator plates to azero or neutral position. During the downward movement of the indicatoroperating bar actuation or tab 73 is prevented because of thecounterclockwise pivoting of the lever 72 (FIG. 6). During the axialmovement of the indicator positioning bars there is no movementtransmitted to feed stamps because of the one-way action of clutches 43.As the cash register continues to operate, indicator positioning bars 44are moved axially a predetermined amount to bring the proper indicatorplates into position so that they can be elevated into the indicatorbox. This proportional movement of indicator positioning bars 4d istransmitted through shafts 46, sprockets 51, chains 52 and gears 53 toclutches 43 which drive rolls 32 and thereby feed a predetermined numberof stamps from each of the stamp rolls 23. It will, of course, beunderstood that the size of the gears, sprockets and feed rolls is suchthat for a predetermined movement of the indicator positioning bars 44,the proper length of strip of stamps is fed from the stamp rolls 23.

During the operation of the cash register after the indicatorpositioning bars 44 have been moved axially a predetermined amount,indicator operating bar 45 is moved upwardly to position the properindicator plates in the indicator box 22. This final movement of theindicator operating bar 45 upwardly causes small lever 72 on operatingbar 45 to strike latch 67 and disengage lever 59, permitting spring 71to move cable 69 and return lever 59 to its original position. Duringthis movement cable 69 also pivots knives 39 downwardly cutting of? thestrips of stamps which have been fed. The severed strips fall into tray40 so that the cashier can pick them up and give them to the customerwithout any further operation on his part.

When lever 59 is returned to its original position, racks 50 are pivotedupwardly out of contact with gears 49 and pawls 74 are moved intoengagement with gears 49 through links 77 and cranks 76 to lock gears 49against further rotation.

The cash register is now in condition for a further operation such asthe tabulation and computation of purchases for which stamps are notgiven or the addition of sales tax and the like to the sub-total.

Instead of utilizing rolls of stamps containing a single layer or strip,the roll may comprise a multiple layer or d strip, thus reducing thelength of strip that must be fed from each roll.

In addition, instead of using rolls, a continuous strip of stamps foldedback and forth in a suitable container may be provided in place of eachsupply roll.

It can thus be seen that I have provided a stampdispensing mechanismwhich is operable in conjunction with a cash register so that at adesired time the required number of stamps are not only fed but alsosevered and provided to the customer. At the end of each feedingoperation the mechanism is disengaged automatically from the drive or"the cash register so that the cash register may be operated in normalfashion without any further thought on the part of the operator as towhether or not the stamp-dispensing mechanism is present.

E claim:

In a cash register of the type wherein the total of purchases istabulated and brought to the view of an observer by movement of aplurality of indicator plates bearing digits vertically upward into anindicator area, said indicator plates being selected from a plurality ofindicator plates by predetermined movement of the indicator positioningmembers in a generally horizontal direction, the combination comprisinga housing mounted on said register, means for rotatably mounting aplurality of stamp roils in said housing, a feed mechanism for each saidroll for feeding a strip of stamps from said roll, drive means for eachsaid feed mechanism responsive to the movement of said indicatorpositioning members for driving said feed mechanism of said roll to feeda strip of stamps proportional in length to the digit on thecorresponding indicator plate, each said latter means including a rackpivoted to a respective indicator positioning member, a gear, means formoving said rack into and out of engagement with said gear, meansinterconnecting said gear to said feed mechanism, and single manuallyoperated means for actuating said rack engaging and disengaging means tomove said racks into and out of engagement with their respective gears,said single manually operated means comprising a shaft, a lever for eachrack fixed to said shaft, a slot in each said rack, the end of each saidlever being slidably mounted in the slot in its respective rack, ahandle pivoted in said housing, and means forming an operativeconnection between said handle and said shaft for rotating said shaftand pivoting said levers to move said racks into and out of engagementwith their respective gears.

Great Britain Dec. 1, 1943 792,514

Great Britain Mar. 26, 1958

